The Congress on Tuesday said the 22nd Law Commission closed its doors without submitting its report on the Uniform Civil Code, while the actual composition of the successor commission has not even been announced. The Congress asked why the Modi government was treating such a respected body with such “negligent behaviour”.
This statement of the opposition party comes a day after Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the rules under the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) have been approved and the date of its implementation in the state will be announced soon. Only this will be done.
Congress general secretary (communications in-charge) Jairam Ramesh said in a post on Para 1.15 reads as follows: ‘While the diversity of Indian culture should and can be celebrated, specific groups or weaker sections of the society should not be disadvantaged in the process. “Resolving this conflict does not mean eliminating all differences.”
He said, “Therefore this Commission has dealt with discriminatory laws instead of providing a Uniform Civil Code, which is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage. Most countries are now moving towards recognition of difference and only Existence does not indicate discrimination, but a sign of a strong democracy.”
Ramesh further explained that thereafter, in a press note published on June 14, 2023, the 22nd Law Commission of India notified its intention to once again examine the Uniform Civil Code. He said that it was clarified in the press note that this work is being done on the reference sent by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
However, the 22nd Law Commission was abolished on August 31, 2024, without submitting its report on the Uniform Civil Code, Ramesh said.
He said, “The 23rd Law Commission was announced on September 3, 2024, but its actual composition has not been announced yet. The Modi government has done so much with a prestigious body like the Law Commission, especially on such a sensitive subject. Why are you behaving carelessly?”
After presiding over the state cabinet meeting on Monday, Dhami had said that preparations for implementing the Uniform Civil Code in the state are almost complete.
In December, Dhami had announced that UCC would be implemented in January. With municipal elections to be held on January 23 and results expected on January 25, there is speculation that the government may announce the implementation of UCC on Republic Day.